Sonia Delaunay was an avant-garde abstract artist. A prolific painter, she also designed textiles, clothes, theater sets and interiors. Although her oeuvre spans many creative disciplines, her particular style and love of bright colors is instantly recognizable. Color was more than just a signature of her style, though; she believed it was “the skin of the world.” Alongside her French husband, Robert Delaunay, Sonia would tirelessly experiment with color, and developed the notion of simultaneity—an arts movement pioneered by the couple. She famously painted their Parisian apartment white to offset the growing collection of vibrant paintings, fabrics, lamp shades, furniture and clothes that filled the space. Sonia was also fantastically chic and designed clothes for herself and Robert to wear. A true entrepreneur, it was not long until this hobby became a business. And so, for years to come, Sonia managed to support her family through the earnings from her fashion boutique Casa Sonia, and her textiles label, Tissus Delaunay.
Model and Chanel muse Caroline de Maigret is the epitome of French class, and not afraid to teach us a lesson or two on the subject. If anyone knows how to nail that je ne sais quoi, she does. Tate couldn’t help but think of how well de Maigret would fit into Sonia’s shoes – both effortlessly cool, eccentric and free-spirited. So, in lieu of The EY Exhibition: Sonia Delaunay at Tate Modern, Bertrand Le Pluard has made this off-beat film. Channeling color simultaneity in oranges, blues, greens, yellows and reds, de Maigret tumbles into a brilliantly bizarre Delaunay-inspired dreamscape. We think Sonia would approve.
The EY Exhibition: Sonia Delaunay is on until August 9 2015 at Tate Modern.
Credits
Directed by Bertrand Le Pluard
Sound Recordist Christophe de Heaulme
Sound design and Music Montbrun
Film commissioned by Tate